Report: Bucs place three on PUP list to start camp

TAMPA Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano had hoped injuries would force only defensive end Da'Quan Bowers to miss the start of training camp workouts, but it appears Bowers will have some company on the sideline.
The Bucs placed Bowers (torn Achilles tendon), defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (knee) and linebacker Adam Hayward on the physically unable to perform list, according to Fox Sports and Scout.com NFL writer Aaron Wilson.
Bowers, who was expected to split snaps at left end with Michael Bennett, ruptured his right Achilles tendon while working out on the field at One Buc Place on May 9 and could miss the entire season.
Okoye, who was signed as a free agent in April to provide depth to the beleaguered defensive line, had an arthroscopic procedure in June to clean up lingering knee damage, but the Bucs hoped he'd be ready for the start of camp.

Hayward, a special teams captain who has filled in at all three linebacker spots in recent years, battled a nagging foot injury during the 2011 season, but it is not known if the foot issue forced him to the PUP list.
Bucs officials refused to confirm the report, which came out less than a week after Schiano said he thought all but Bowers would be ready to participate when training camp workouts begin Friday.
"It's a little (hard to know) because I haven't seen these guys in six weeks, but by my accounts everybody is going to be here with the exception of Da'Quan Bowers, of course,'' Schiano said on Thursday.
Players placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp can come off the list at any time. Any player who is on the list at the start of the regular season must sit out six games before being activated or placed on injured reserve.
The Bucs are holding out hope Bowers, who began to emerge as a pass rush threat late in his rookie season in 2011, will be back in time to play part of this season.
"We are going to get him back I hope, but it's going to be later in the year, rather than earlier,''' Schiano said.
rcummings@tampatrib.com
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